Hi Samuel,
I am in the same boat as you are and I have been since I became a Christian nearly 20 years ago. I live in a small town in Canada and there are no churches that I know of anywhere nearby where I could find believers who aren't twisting the scriptures. I currently attend a church with some people who I love dearly, and I attend their Bible study.
This past week was almost physically painful as I sat and listened to them go to great pains to explain why Paul meant the exact opposite of what he said in 1 Corinthians. I'm still new to the Historic Faith so I don't know enough to talk to them, but I hope to learn so I can present it well and hopefully convince some to join us.
I know that God is in charge of my life and, if it's His Will, I will find a physical community where I feel like I belong. Until then, I have decided to start a group on Reddit for folks like us. If you have any interest in joining you can do so here: Reddit community — https://www.reddit.com/r/AnteNiceneChristians/
You will have to request access as it is currently a restricted group and, aside from me, you will be the first member.
I'm hoping that others from this site would also like to join and we can get a small community going where people like you and I can get encouragement and teaching when we can't get it in person.
Hi Brother Samuel Lopez!
Blessings to you.
Where are you from? I think we are in the same boat as far as hunger and thirst for righteousness is concerned. I would love to get connected with you here or in other social media platforms. I am Naphtali from the Philippines.
I am also new in the Historic Faith although I have few books by David Bercot given to me by a dear brother.
Hi Brother Daryle,
Thank you for your response. I know of a website where an individual has complied a list of Anabaptist churches. I don't know if that includes Canada, but I'd be happy to give you the link to the form you would need to fill out for this individual to locate a church for you. Thanks for the invitation to your group. I don't have a Reddit account but will look into opening one. The peace of Christ be with you.
Hi Brother Naphtali,
I live in North Carolina, U.S.A. I would love to start a dialog with you. I don't have any social media accounts, however, so it would have to be on here. I don't know if they have a "friends" on "contacts" option on here but I'm sure we can figure something out. Thank you for your reply. The peace of Christ be with you.
Hi Brother Daryle,
Thank you for your response. I know of a website where an individual has complied a list of Anabaptist churches. I don't know if that includes Canada, but I'd be happy to give you the link to the form you would need to fill out for this individual to locate a church for you. I know where your coming from in regards to sharing your new knowledge. I've attempted to do just that but those I've spoken to reject it without at least researching what I've told them. That seems to be a trend these days.
I see in them the scripture being fulfilled, " 2 Tim. 4:3 , 4 ." I pray in tears for those who say they can see but have been blinded by the enemy.
Thanks for the invitation to your group. I don't have a Reddit account but will look into opening one. The peace of Christ be with you.
Hi Naphtali,
I see that you are also new and looking for connection. I have started a subreddit for us folks if you use Reddit or of you would like to. You can find it here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AnteNiceneChristians/
Hope to see you there! God bless!
Hello brother,
I'd love that link so I can see if it works here.
Thank you!
Hi brother.
What is reddit? Is it another social media platform?
Yes, in a sense. It's more like a message board sort of place. You can follow different topics that interest you.
Hi Daryle,
I'm curious where in Canada you live? I'd do some research for you to see who would be the nearest Jesus Follower/Anabaptist church. I'm from Canada as well.
Blessings, Justin
I'm in Goderich, Ontario. The closest city is London, ON, but it's not really that close. I'm fairly certain the closest Anabaptist church is in Zurich which is about fifteen minutes drive from here, but I don't have a car and I've attended there and believe they wouldn't agree with most of what is taught on this site.
If you're a Reddit user and are at all interested in joining and/or promoting a subreddit for us please check out reddit.com/r/AnteNiceneChristians
I'm trying to get that going and not having much luck. Thanks brother!
Interesting! I live about a 1/2 hour south of you in Dashwood and would love to connect some day! What a coincidence! Yes there is a "conservative" Anabaptist church by Zurich. I grew up at that church. Interesting you were there already. Not sure if I would have met you or not. We've been gone about 2 years now. We have moved on to another fellowship of believers now.
I have a similar quest (as you) to hunt out the folks who want to live like the early Christians and we as a family feel that where we are now although we drive an hour. Specific church aside I would love to meet up with you sometime and hash this all out! I can't hardly believe that I happen to be so close to you in all of this huge country we find ourselves in! There is talk of Followers of the Way starting a church in Mississauga but that is not close to either of us.
I am at least keeping tabs with that effort. You familiar with that group in Massachusetts?
Blessings!
Ha! As soon as I saw you're name I thought of Anneka, who I now suspect is a close relative of yours? If not, then this is even weirder cause she also went to that church and has the same last name. Either way, that's really cool. This is actually the second time that someone on the internet contacted me who could have been from anywhere in the world but were actually pretty close by. It turns out he was from Cambridge last time. Very small world.
If you're ever in the Goderich area we should meet for coffee or something. Unfortunately without a vehicle I'm pretty much limited on where I can go at the moment.
I haven't heard of the church in Mississauga, or Massachusetts (wondering if that one was your phone being helpful.) I've only very recently discovered the early church Fathers and my only brush with Anabaptism was with the one in Zurich and Bruxy Cavey sermons.
Also, I just remembered, the Zurich church started a Clinton congregation, I think, which I also attended a few times but they stopped meeting together when the pastor was relocated elsewhere I believe.
Well, my son is bugging me to play Minecraft with him so I have to run. But I'd love to get in touch and meet up. That would be awesome.
So neat to meet up with you like this. I don't know any Anneka so I guess I must not be related. The church I was referring to many of the admin of The Historic Faith or from or connected to. Go to https://www.followers-of-the-way.org/ to learn more about them. They focus on discipleship and planting churches. There's talk of one starting in Mississauga and yes there are based in Boston Massachusetts (both big M names) :-)
Meeting for coffee would be awesome! My email is justinzehr@outlook.com and phone is 519-525-6636. We'll keep in touch!
